At Super Bowl LX, held Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, the Seattle Seahawks’ defense dominated the New England Patriots’ offense, securing a 29-13 victory that earned Seattle its second championship in franchise history. NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky drew a parallel between Seattle’s defensive effort and the Philadelphia Eagles’ shutdown of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s Super Bowl, highlighting the relentless pressure both defenses applied.
Seattle’s Defense Controls the Game Against New England
The Patriots struggled to generate offense, gaining only 51 total yards in the first half, marking one of the lowest totals in Super Bowl history. Despite a late fourth-quarter rally scoring 13 points, New England could not overcome the Seahawks’ tenacious defense. Seattle’s unit, nicknamed the “Dark Side,” evoked memories of the legendary “Legion of Boom” era, effectively neutralizing Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Maye was sacked six times as Seattle’s rushing attack disrupted his passing rhythm and limited his ability to lead sustained drives.
Dan Orlovsky Highlights Defensive Mastery Compared to Eagles’ Performance
Dan Orlovsky, a respected NFL analyst, compared the Seahawks’ defensive dominance to the Eagles’ performance during the previous Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs. He described the Eagles’ defense as delivering a “knockout punch,” a level of suffocating pressure that the Seahawks mirrored in their game plan on Sunday.
“Remember last year’s Super Bowl? It felt like Mike Tyson. It was just this knockout punch from Philly’s defense against Kansas City. This was almost like watching the walls close in. There was just nothing that you could do, the suffocating element. I think what happened with Josh McDaniels in New England was that, instead of Josh being one of the great sequencers in the NFL,”
?Dan Orlovsky, NFL Analyst
“He calls this play to set up this play. This stays play to set up this place so he’s always on the attack immediately. He got in on the defensive. It was a very defensive style of play calling, a very careful style of play calling and part of me understands it.”
?Dan Orlovsky, NFL Analyst
Klint Kubiak’s Departure Signals Changes Ahead for Seattle
Following the Seahawks’ successful Super Bowl run, defensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed his move to Las Vegas. Kubiak’s leadership was instrumental in Portland’s ability to stifle the Patriots’ offense, and his departure could lead to strategic adjustments for Seattle in the coming season.
Impact of Seattle’s Defensive Triumph and Future Outlook
The Seahawks’ commanding defensive display not only secured a historic championship but also reinforced the importance of relentless defensive pressure in high-stakes games. By comparing Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense to the Eagles’ strategy against Mahomes, analysts underscore how shutting down a dynamic quarterback through physicality and strategic game planning can alter the course of a Super Bowl. As Seattle moves forward without Kubiak, the team will likely seek to maintain this defensive intensity to remain competitive in upcoming NFL seasons.
"This was almost like watching the walls close in."
—@danorlovsky7 on the Seahawks' dominant Super Bowl performance pic.twitter.com/QmBdhYLUZk
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 9, 2026
